Professor Marie Louise Sørensen

I always wanted to be an archaeologist, and I have hugely enjoyed working in this field. To me it is unique, and has provided me with a wonderful journey of discovery and engagement.

Academic interests

My specialisms are European prehistory, gender, and theory. I also work with contemporary heritage politics.

I'm currently involved in archaeological fieldwork on two projects: exploring early colonial expansion into the then uninhabited Cape Verde islands and the subsequent creation of a new creole Afro-European place, and investigating domestic life on a Bronze Age tell in Hungary. 

My heritage work has especially focused on the links between heritage, politics, and identity, in particular around conflict, including destruction and reconstruction.

Degrees obtained

• BA, Aarhus University, Denmark.
• Cand. Phil. Aarhus University, Denmark.
• PhD, Cambridge.

Awards and prizes

• European Heritage prize, the annual prize from the European Association of Archaeologists for outstanding contribution to heritage.
• Rigmor og Carl Holst-Knudsens Videnskabspris, Aarhus University, Denmark.
• Felix Neuberg prize and lecture, Gothenburg University, Sweden.

Biography

I was born in Denmark and grew up near the Danish-German border, which may be the reason for my interest in heritage, politics, and identity. I obtained my first two degrees from Aarhus University, Denmark, and then came to Cambridge for my PhD. I have been employed at the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology since 1987. I was elected a member of the Det Kongelige Norske Videnskabers Selskab (The Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters) in January 2019.

I have two children and my husband is also an archaeologist.

Other interests

Politics, gardening, travelling.